Africa-Press – Namibia. ALTHOUGH this week came with a great deal of good news as Covid-19 restrictions were eased due to the overall reduction of case numbers, hospitalisations and deaths statistics, Covid-19 remains a menace as it continues to impact the health and lives of many individuals in the country.
From Monday to Friday 73 new positive cases were reported, according to the Ministry of Health and Social Services’ Covid-19 updates. Of the 73 new cases, 26 (representing 35,6%) were reported from the Khomas region and 13 (17,8%) were reported from the Otjozondjupa region. Men represent the bulk of new infections as they make up 42 of the 73 reported Covid-19 cases, which translates to 57,5%.
The Ministry also reported 19 hospitalisations and three Intensive Care Unit (ICU) cases on Monday. By Friday, the reported hospitalisations decreased to 17, of which 15 are unvaccinated, and the ICU cases increased to four, of which all are unvaccinated.
These figures are promising in comparison to the beginning of the year’s statistics. The latest Covid-19 update reported a 0,9% positivity ratio as only 13 cases out of 1 463 results were reported to be positive. The number of active cases decreased from 225 as reported on Monday to 183 by Friday and 111 recoveries were also reported this week.
The Ministry also reported the death of a 76-year-old man from Khorixas who died at home. The deceased was vaccinated and had known co-morbidities. As this is the only Covid-19 death reported during the week, it is evident that there has been a considerable decrease in the average number of reported Covid-19 deaths.
Nonetheless, as President Hage Geingob said on Tuesday, “one death from Covid-19 is one too many”. To further reduce the number of Covid-19 deaths and to increase herd immunity, the health minister, Dr Kalumbi Shangula, urged those who are eligible to get vaccinated, stating that “vaccination will redeem us from Covid-19”. By 17 March, 383 074 people have been vaccinated, representing 21,5% of the target population of 1 779 221.
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